Vanuatu chiefs

The chair of Efate's Vaturisu Council of Chiefs, Semion Poilapa, who is from Efate's largest village, Mele, made the call after media reports about the level of criminality in Port Vila.

Chief Poilapa said chiefs could "deport" all their criminals back to their islands of origin, especially at the time Vanuatu is preparing to lift the covid lockdown on July 1st.

Vaturisu chiefs have long been concerned with killings in Port Vila and the wider Efate Island.

The chairman of the Malvatumauri, Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe, said he welcomed the request for advice because it showed the Government now realised the important role his organisation had when it came to customary land.

Chief Tirsupe said in the past the Malvatumauri legislation had stated the government "may" consult chiefs on customs and culture related issues but this was amended to "must" consult in 2013.

RNZI reports the planned extraordinary meeting would be the third time the government has sought the wisdom of the chiefs on customary land matters.

Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe made the statement at the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila following a peaceful march on Friday.

RNZI reports 200 people joined the march and the group's chairman, Pastor Allan Nafuki, said he had a petition with over 5,000 signatures to support the bid.